Presidential Eligibility

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Originally posted by Aristotle

At the time of that rule being made, there was a lot of fear of who was really loyal to the new United States. They had just dealt with a huge portion of their own population that was more loyal to Britain than the revolution. I can understand their fears at that time.

200 years later, I think it is time for that part of the rule to go.

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That about sums up how i see it. The rule does not quite make sense, and it might keep good people from running for president.

I also think it is a mistake to keep it. All citizens are supposed to be equal, yet those citizens who were not born in the US are suddenly not quite equal ? I consider that wrong, especially because people can rarely choose where they are born.

Perhaps they should modify that rule to require x years being citizen before someone can run as president ?

A.

Being born American simply means that your parents were citizens. Ergo, it makes you a second-generation American, rather than a first-generation, naturalized immigrant.

There's a lot to be said in favour of people who grew up in the country. But there's also a lot to be said for people who made a definite, deliberate CHOICE to become citizens.

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Originally posted by Aristotle
Ok. Under 20 year old snot nosed kids. :)

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Much better :D

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Originally posted by kiania
Much better :D

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But... I think you just proved his point.

Anyway, I've always said that they should specifically repeal the part disallowing non-native U.S. citizens to become President, simply so Ahhnold could run.

This isn't because I like his politics. I don't know much about them. I'd vote for him just because I like his personality and his movies.This is because that is, in my opinion, the degree to which our political system has degenerated.

I am 21 years old, and in the 3 years I've been eligible to vote, I've never done so. My problem is that I've yet to see any candidate in any party that I believe is worth voting for. The country's problem is that I've become disillusioned with the political process and would like to see a character like Arnold as President just because it'd be neat. This is the country's problem because: (I wonder) How many of this country's youth think along the same terms?

I'm very much hoping that, sometime between now and the next Presidential election, a candidate that I feel is decent enough will surface, even if they're in the SoObscureI'veNeverHeardofit Party.

Not to be insulting but that is exactly what we don't need from the people who vote. "I like his movies". That in no way is a credential for being presiden. Now if someone were to say "He's married into the most political family America has ever known, has proven himself a capable leader of one of the largest states in the country and in general has a policy I can stand behind", then he has a worthwhile reason for someone to vote for him.

Arnold has connections in politics most people can't even fathom. Just think back though to the complete fiasco the election was that made him governor. There were midgets and pornstars. Comedians and carnival freaks. There was everything but politicians. Well, there might have been a couple but I never heard anything about them.

Reagan was an actor before being president. The difference between Arnold and Reagan is that Reagan was never the "Governator". How retarded is that? It's a suitable catch phrase for the wrong kind of voters to have stuck in their heads. The kind that would vote for a catch phrase instead of a candidate with a record of voting for those things you agree with.

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Originally posted by Rosuav
Being born American simply means that your parents were citizens. Ergo, it makes you a second-generation American, rather than a first-generation, naturalized immigrant.

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Not so. Being born American means you flew out mommy's snatch on American soil. It has nothing to do with immigration papers or anything. A lot of Mexican mothers will hop the border during month eight of their pregnancy so their children will be born American citizens with legal rights to medicare and other government programs. It's like a fucking game of football trying to keep them all out.

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Originally posted by anthson
Not so. Being born American means you flew out mommy's snatch on American soil.

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No, it doesn't mean that. For example, I was not born on American soil. I was born in Canada, and since then I have lived exclusively in Canada. However, I am a natural-born American citizen, and qualify to run for president (assuming I meet the other criteria as well), because my mother is American.

Compare that to someone who was born in say, Mexico, and moved to the US when 6 months old. It doesn't make sense to me that I would be allowed to run, but this other person wouldn't.

Since the President is the Commander and Chief of the armed forces and has many powers afforded him as such
and yes in elections no stone is unturned in his background
but... how many moles have been discovered in the US
that have been here decades and still working for
other gov'ts?
is it a risk willing to take that our armed forces could even have a chance to be in the hands of such a person?

If there is the slightest chance I say NO ,leave it as it is
if it ain't broke don't fix it.

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Originally posted by anthson
Being born American means you flew out mommy's snatch on American soil.

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Lol- you're so well spoken Anthson.

I think it should be changed, but maybe have some rules in place. I don't mind a naturalized citizen running for office, assuming they grew up here in America. I just don't want some foreigner who moved here when he was in his 30's, becoming a citizen and then having a shot at running the country.

For rebuttals just know I'm not saying naturalized citizens are not patriotic or will never be presidential material for my country. On the contrary I know there's plenty that would put many Americans to shame. Probably because when you grow up in another country and come here you actually appreciate what we have. I just think you ought to have grown up here and have a fair amount of American influence in your past.

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Originally posted by Gromgor
Not to be insulting but that is exactly what we don't need from the people who vote. "I like his movies". That in no way is a credential for being presiden.

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Not insulting in the least. I completely agree with you. My point had been that I feel that the overall quality of the candidates (and the quality of their character or whatever else you want to call it) is extremely poor. This is illustrated by the fact that Arnold, due to the facts that he seems like a relatively nice guy and I'm familiar with his movies, is a much more attractive candidate for President.

The fact that I like his movies certainly isn't a credential. However, when I feel that nearly every single candidate barely ranks above scum, I'm naturally going to look to the person who has something different about them, and with whom I am able to make some sort of positive connection.

My concern is that this may not simply be limited to me, and may actually be a trend in today's youth. When talking to other college students in my area, it certainly seems like it may be possible.

Edit:
Heh, this is all hypothetical of course.